More waste and recycling businesses
Adding to waste collection, recycling and composting (methods 385–389), these turn specific waste streams into income.
What these methods share
- Licences: NEMA licences for waste handling and transport.
- Safety: sorting waste needs gloves and protective gear.
- Buyers: know who buys your recovered material first.
955. Used cooking oil collection
What it is: Collecting used cooking oil from restaurants and selling it to biodiesel or soap makers. How it works: Collect in containers → filter → sell in bulk.
| Skills | Logistics |
| Cost & equipment | Containers, transport, NEMA licence |
| Where to find work | Restaurants, hotels, fast-food outlets |
| Payment | Per litre sold |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Sign up restaurants; find a reliable buyer. Pros: Keeps oil out of drains and street food. Cons & risks: Messy logistics. Scam warning: Never resell used oil as cooking oil: it's dangerous and illegal. Kenya notes: Some used oil is illegally recycled into food; legitimate collection protects public health.
956. Glass recycling
What it is: Collecting and processing waste glass for recyclers or into crafts and beads. How it works: Collect → sort by colour → crush or craft.
| Skills | Sorting, crafts |
| Cost & equipment | Collection points, crusher or tools |
| Where to find work | Bars, hotels, households, glass recyclers |
| Payment | Per kilo or per product |
| Realistic earnings | Low |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Partner with bars and hotels for collection. Pros: Abundant waste. Cons & risks: Low prices for raw glass. Scam warning: Wear protective gear when handling glass. Kenya notes: Recycled glass beads are a craft product.
957. Tyre recycling
What it is: Turning old tyres into products: sandals, mats, planters, flooring and furniture. How it works: Collect tyres → cut and process → make products.
| Skills | Fabrication |
| Cost & equipment | Cutting tools, workspace |
| Where to find work | Tyre shops, garages; buyers of products |
| Payment | Per product |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Start with simple products like planters and furniture. Pros: Free raw material. Cons & risks: Labour-intensive. Scam warning: Never burn tyres: it's toxic and illegal. Kenya notes: Akala sandals made from tyres are a long Kenyan tradition.
958. Paper recycling and egg trays
What it is: Collecting waste paper and producing egg trays or other moulded products. How it works: Collect paper → pulp → mould → dry → sell.
| Skills | Machine operation |
| Cost & equipment | Egg tray machine, drying space |
| Where to find work | Offices, schools; poultry farmers buy trays |
| Payment | Per tray |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Secure paper supply and poultry farmer buyers. Pros: Steady demand from poultry farms. Cons & risks: Machine costs; drying space. Scam warning: Buy machines from reputable suppliers. Kenya notes: Poultry farms need large numbers of egg trays.
959. Scrap metal dealing (licensed)
What it is: Buying and selling scrap metal to recyclers and steel mills. How it works: Licensed yard → buy with records → sort → sell in bulk.
| Skills | Metal identification, record keeping |
| Cost & equipment | Yard, scale, Scrap Metal Council licence |
| Where to find work | Garages, construction sites, households |
| Payment | Margin per kilo |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Get licensed under the Scrap Metal Act and keep seller records. Pros: Big market. Cons & risks: Heavy regulation due to theft. Scam warning: Never buy vandalised infrastructure (power cables, rail parts): it's a serious crime. Kenya notes: Kenya regulates scrap dealing under the Scrap Metal Act.
Summary
- Waste businesses include used cooking oil, glass, tyres, paper egg trays and licensed scrap metal.
- Get NEMA and scrap licences and keep records.
- Never resell used oil as food or buy stolen metal.
Check yourself
Which law regulates scrap metal dealing in Kenya? (three words: Scrap Metal ___)
Show answer
act
Should used cooking oil be resold as cooking oil? (yes or no)
Show answer
no
What do paper recyclers commonly make for poultry farmers? (two words: egg ___)
Show answer
trays